February 10, 2012 at 12:53 AM
A major union representing metal workers has joined with the only U.S. producer of pure beryllium to propose a draft standard to OSHA that would, if the agency adopts the model, cut the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for the metal by 90 percent, as well as require feasible engineering controls to protect workers where beryllium dust or fume are generated, even if exposure levels are at or below the new PEL. The rare cooperative union/industry push for a new rule culminates two years of talks between the sides to draft a plan that meets their respective concerns -- and decades after OSHA firs